New Downtown Detroit Sneaker Store, Nojo Kicks, Opens With Long Lines, Offers $8,500 Air Jordans
By: Evan Jankens
@kingofthekc
Have any doubts about how passionate metro Detroiters are about their kicks? Just check out this line.
People lined up for at least a block before the soft opening of the new specialty shoe retailer Nojo Kicks in downtown Detroit. It's the first shoe store of its kind in the city, which made headlines the last couple of years with other firsts -- including chain grocery stores Meijer and Whole Foods, and a Starbucks.
Owner Andy Beletskiy certainly hopes his new venture hits the ground running.
"Why Detroit?" he said, about his decision to open the first store of its kind in that location. "I think the culture, the whole city, and behind this, Bedrock (Real Estate) -- Dan (Gilbert's) group -- and (we're) just really excited about the city.
He adds he wants to be customer service oriented. A few rap artists had already stopped by to check out the wares.
Word was already out Monday morning before the 9 a.m. soft opening because at least 100 people stood outside waiting to get a glimpse of the shoe greatness within.
So, what are they waiting for? A chance to buy shoes, some of them extremely rare, that retail for up to $8,500.
The walls are decorated with shoes many people haven't seen in person, plus memorabilia from Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, Eminem, and Derek Jeter.
It's all guarded by a high-tech security camera system.
The store is named after Andy's sons, Noah and Jordan.
